Sign



Feb. 28, 1928. I 1,661,075 J. LEMKE, JR v SIGN Filed June 2. 1927 Jamar Lem/re J77.

Patented Feb. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES JAMES LnMKnJn, or TROY, NEW YORK.

A SIGN.

"Applieatipnfiled June 2, 1927. Serial No. 196,061.

The present invention relates to sign supports and more especially to improvements in display signs in which the various display letters, numerals, characters or symbols may be positively maintained in fixed position on the frame and when desired can beindependently removed therefronn An essential feature of the invention con sists in associating a clamping member with a sign suliiporting frame in such a manner as to permit the independent removal of the display characters and to securely maintain these characters in fixed position on the frame when the clamping member is placed 5 in its locked position.

A furtherobject of the invention comprehends the provision of a clamping means having a longitudinally extending reinforcing rib which communicates with a series 2 of transverse openings or ribs so that upon the clamping member being brought into operative engagement with a supporting frame it will secure the display characters in'proper fixedposition and will conceal any unsightly parts ofthe frame construction thus giving to the device a pleasing and attractive appearance. Other objects and advantages will'become apparent from the following description 30 when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 isa frontelevation with parts in section. of the display deviceconnected to any suitable support.

Figure 2 isa sectional view taken substan tially along the line 22 of Figure 1. s

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the clamping member shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a modified form of the invention. t Figure 5 is a view of a further modification. and a y Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view of 4 another form of theclamping member.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate likeparts in the several views, 10 denotes a base or any other suitable support to which the display device or to sign may be connected, and may be either stationary or movable dependlng upon the particular purpose for which the sign is to be used. k f

The characters 11, to be displayed, have been conveniently shown as letters, but may, of course, assume various other forms such as mimei'als, symbols or the like, and are each provided with oppositely disposed upper and lower ears 12 and 13 respectively (Fig. 2), having perforations 14 therein, arranged to receive the studs or pins 16 which preferably extend from the outer face of'the supporting frame 17.

The frame 17 may be of any desired configuration and is preferably composed of parallel spaced sides and ends of substantially rectangular formation. The corners or ends of the frame are preferably provided with openings 18 through which eX- tend suitable fastening means such as the threaded. bolts 19 that secure the frame to the support 10. Each of these bolts may be provided adjacent its head with a smooth portion arranged to receive the slots or openings 20 of a flexible clamping or locking n'ieinber 21. The clamping member 21 is preferably formed of any suitable yieldable imetal, and has a reinforcing rib 22 which extends longitudinally thereof between the openings. 20. The rib 22 is so formed as to provide a groove on theinner face of the clamping member 21, which receives and conceals thestuds 1 6, as clearly shown in Figure 2. lVhen the clamping member 21 is associated with a character supporting frame, such as shown in Figure 1, two of such clamps are employed so as to secure the upper and lower ends of the dis play character in position. However, the clamp is equally. effective when used in various other positions and relations for maintaining various types of articles in a fixed or locked position. i The character display symbols shown in Figure 1 are attached to the frame by first placing the perforations 14, formed in the ears 12 and 13, on the vertically aligned studs 16 which studs are of greater length than the thickness of the ears 12 and 13 so that they extend an appreciable distancebeyond the outer face of the frame 17 and fit within the recess formed by the rib 22 (Fig. 2) when the clamps are in the loekedposition. The threaded bolts 19 which have previously connected the frame 17 to itssupport 10 are loosened so as to permit the notches 20 ofeach of the clamping members 21 to be moved into engagement with the clamp of each of the bolts 19 and as these clamping members areof yieldable material they mayh readilybe snapped intollocked position ereon. The belts 19 late then'further tightened so as to securely clamp the parts in fixed position. It will be noted that the ribs 22 in addition to acting as a reinforcing member for the clamp also provide a recess for the reception of the outer ends of the pins 16 so that when the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 1 these pins will be concealed, thus providing a pleasing and attractive display device.

When it is desired to change the charactters this may be effected upon loosening the bolts 19 which allows the ready removal of the clamping member 21 and any of the characters 11 without the necessity of requiring the complete disconnection of the frame 17 from its support 10.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figure 4t, the clamping member 23 which may be readily substituted for the member 21 is provided with a longitudinally extending rib 24 that has communicating therewith a series of spaced transverse op-en ings or ribs 25 which openings are so positioned as to normally register with the supporting pins 16 on the frame. Additionally the clamping member 23 has preferably adjacent its ends substantially T-shapcd slots 26 arranged to slidably engage the shank of the threaded bolt 19.

It will be observed that when the clamp ing member 23 is employed for securing the characters in position on the frame, the slots 26 can either engage the shank of the bolts 19 or other suitable projections that extend from the frame.

Moreover, when this type of clamp is applied, itis merely necessary that the transverse slots 25 be so spaced as normally to align with the pins 16 so that when the slots 26 are brought into registration with the shanks of the bolts 9, and forced into engagement therewith and then moved laterally, the pins 14 will be simultaneously moved out of alignment with the notches 25 and fit within the recess of the rib 24. Conversely, when it is desired'to remove the upper or lower clamp from engagement with the frame, the notches 25 and the vertical portion of the slots 26 will be brought into registration with their con'iplementary studs respectively, thus allowing the removal of the clamp upon pressure being applied thereto.

The form of the invention shown in Fig ure 5 is substantially similar to that disclosed in Figure 4., and differs therefrom in that the clamping or securing member 2? is provided on opposite sides of the reinforcing ribs 28 with a series of transverse grooves or notches 30 and substantially T- shaped slots 31 adjacent the ends thereof.

Figure 6 shows a modification somewhat similar to that disclosed in Figure *1 and has the clamping member 32 formed with a rib .33 which extends lengthwise thereof.

On each side of the rib 33 are notches or grooves 3a which do not communicate therewith, but merely act to receive the supporting pins on the frame. of the clamping member are vertically disposed slots or openings 35 that are detachably connected. to any suitable fastening means such as the bolts that secure the frame to the support.

- It will be seen that the invention is admirably suited for all kinds of display purposes such as advertising signs, license plates and the like. Moreover, due to the positive manner in which the clamping member fixedly secures the display characters in position, the sign can effectively be applied to a vibrating support without the liability of the parts becoming loose or rattling.

It is to be understood that the several forms of the invention shown and described are merely illustrative of preferred embodi ments and that such changes as fall within the purview of one skilled in the art may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of the appended claims.

W'hat'I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a support, a frame having pins projecting from the face thereof, fastening means connecting the frame to said support, display members having oppositely disposed perforated lugs adapted to engage said pins, the length of the pins being greater than the thickness of said lugs, and clamping members having reinforcing ribs extending lengthwise thereof, said clamping members adapted to detachably engage said fastening means and secure said display members in fixed position relativeto the frame, and said ribs forming grooves for receiving the pins when the parts are in. clamped position.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a support, a frame having Adjacent each end Til Hill

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pins projecting from the face thereof, fastoning means connecting the frame to said support. display members having oppositely disposed perforated lugs adapted to engage said pins. the length of the pins being greater than the thickness of said lugs, clamping members associated with said display members for securing the lugs in ilXQtl position on the pins, said clamping members having reinforcing ribs extending lengthwise thereof and slots adjacent the ends of said ribs. said ribs forming grooves for receiving the pins when the parts are set up, said clamped members being detaohably connected to said fastening means whereby upon loosening the latter the lugs may be released from the pins without disconnecting the frame from the support.

In a device of the class described, the

combination of a support, a frame having means, said rib forming a slot which encloses the outer ends of the pins when the clamp is engaged with the fastening means; i

4. A device of theclass "described com-' prising a frame having studs projecting from the face thereof, separate display members having perforations arranged to engage said studs, and means for maintaining said display members in fixed position on the frame comprising a clamp having a longitu dinally extending groove and a series of transversely disposed grooves communicating therewith, said last mentioned grooves adapted to normally register with said studs, and means for moving said clamping member lengthwise into locking engagement with said frame.

5. Adevice of the class described com rising a frame having studs projecting from the face thereof, separate display members having perforations arranged to engage said studs, and means for maintaining said display members in fixed position on the frame comprising a clamp havinga longitudinally extendinggroove and substantially T-shaped slots adjacent the ends thereof, said clamp provided with transverse openings communicating with said groove,said slots and openings arranged to register with the studs on said frame whereby upon the clamp being moved laterally will simultaneously move the openings out of register with said studs and secure the clamp to the frame.

6. A device of the class described comprising a frame having studs projecting from the face thereof separate displaymembers having perforations arranged to en gage said studs, and means for maintaining said display members in fixed position on the frame comprising a clamp having a 1011-' gitudinally extending groove and a series of transversely disposed openings on opposite sides of the groove and commumcating therewith, substantially T-shaped slots adjacent the ends of said groove, said slots and openings normally arranged to register with said studs, said studsadapted to fit in said groove when the clamping member is moved laterally into locked position on the franie.

7. In a device .of the class described the combination of a frame having a series of outwardly projecting pins, separate display members having openings supported by said pins, and a yieldable clamping member having a longitudinally extending groove, and means on. said clamping member coacting with complementary means on said frame for securing the display member in fixed po' sition on said frame said groove arranged to receive the pins when the parts are in clamped position. i j

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a support, a frame having piusprojecting from the face thereof, bolts connecting theframe to said support, separate display members having oppositely disposed perforated lugs adapted to engage said pins, the length of the pins being greater than the thickness of said lugs, and clamping members having reinforcing ribs extending lengthwise, thereof and substantiallyT-shaped slots adjacent the ends of said ribs, said ribs forming slots which con ceal the pins when the parts are set up, said slots adapted to detachably engage certain of said studs for securing the display members in fixed position on the frame.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a support, a frame having pins projecting from the face thereof, bolts connecting the frame to said support, sepa rate display members having oppositely disposed perforated lugs adapted to engage said pins, the length of thepins being greater than the thickness of said lugs, clamping members having reinforcing ribs extending lengthwise thereof and transverse openings communicating with said ribs, said ribs forming a slot for receiving the pins when the parts are set up, and means detachably securing said clamping member to the studs on said frame.

10. A device of the class described comprising a frame having studs projecting from the face thereof, separate display members having projections arranged to engage said studs, and means for maintaining said display members in spaced position on the frame comprising a clamp having a longitudinal groove and transverse openings ar ranged to register with said studs, and means for moving said clamping member laterally into interlocking engagement with said studs.

11; A device of the class described comprising a frame having studs projecting from the face thereof display members having projections arranged to engage said studs, and means for maintaining said display members in fixed position on the frame comprising a clamp having grooves engageable with said studsand movable lengthwise relative thereto for securing the part in locked position.

12. A clamp for a character display frame having a longitudinally extending roove and substantially T-shaped slots adjacent the ends thereof, said clamp provided with transverse grooves communicating with said first mentioned groove, said slots and grooves arranged to register with studs on said frame whereby upon the clamp being moved laterally will simultaneously move the transverse grooves out of registry with said studs and into engagement with said longitudinal groove to secure the clamp to the frame.

13. A device of the class described comprising a frame having studs projecting from its face, display members having portions arranged to be supported by said studs, and a clamping member for securing said display members in fixed position on the frame, said clamping member provided with means engageable with certain of said studs and movable lengthwise relative thereto into interlocking position-on the frame, and means formed in said clamping member for receiving and concealing said studs when the parts are in locked position.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame having studs projecting from the face thereof, display symbols detachably connected to said studs, and a clamp forisecuring said symbols in fixed position on the frame, said clamp having a reinforced rib which forms a groove for receiving the studs when the parts are set up, and means detachably engaging certain of said studs and movable len thwise relative thereto for locking the symbols and clamp to the frame.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES LEMKE, JR. 

